Aug. 18, 2016
TEAM USA Release
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Penn State alum and 2015 IAAF World Champion Joe Kovacs wrapped up competition in his first Olympics with a silver medal in the men's shot put held in Maracanã Stadium.
Kovacs, who entered the shot put finals as the No. 5 with a throw of 20.73m (68'-0.25") during prelims, capped the night with a throw of 21.78m (71'-5.50") to become the first silver medalist for Penn State since Mike Shine who won a silver medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada
Kovacs becomes the 32nd Nittany Lion to earn an Olympic medal, while his mark of 21.78m is the seventh longest shot put in the Olympic games history. Former Nitany Lion, and Penn State school record holder in the event, Darrell Hill competed in the prelims of the shot put finishing 23rd with a best mark of 19.56m (64'-2.25").
The Olympic Champion, Ryan Crouser, finished the night with an Olympic record mark of 22.52m (73'-10.75") as the University of Texas alum captured his first Olympic gold in his Olympic debut.
The United States has now won 18 gold medals, 20 silver medals and 11 bronze medals in the history of the Olympic Games to claim 49 of the possible 83 medals at the Olympics in the men's shot put all-time.
USA's Crouser and Kovacs became the first Americans to record top-three finishes since Adam Nelson and John Godina finishes second and third, respectively in the 200 Sydney Games and the first Americans to finish 1-2 since Randy Barnes and Godina in 1996 (Atlanta).
Team USA has earned two medals in the men's shot put in 18 Olympics dating back to 1900 (Paris).